Safety cap for liquid tank filler spouts



Oct. 11, 1938. A. OFFUTT 2,132,432

7 SAFETY CAP FOR LIQUID TANK FILLER SPOUTS v Filed Dec. '7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l i i x g I; l 5 v I :s V v I S l n vemfiom A. OFFUTT SAFETY CAP FOR LIQUID TANK FILLER SPOUTS Oct H1, 193

Filed Dec. 7, 1936 2 Sheets-$het 2 II/111.0111. v

Patented Oct. 11, 1938 SAFETY CAP FOR LIQUIDTANK 'FlLLER I ,sPoU'rs Anderson Offutt United' StatesfNa'vy Application December .7, 193.6,kSerial Noi 114,627

" 4 Claims. (o1;[2 20,- -29 '1 (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as-

amended April 30, 1928; 370'0aG. 757) i 7 This invention relates in general to caps forliquid tanks, and in particularito caps for air plane gasoline tanks.

"One of the objects of the present invention is to .prevent the spilling oroverflow of liquid from the tank spout in the event that its standard cap .is either improperly secured, vibrates open, or

' tion of fire hazard to airplanes.

With these and other objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists of the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion and arrangement without departing from the nature and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Inv order to make the invention more clearly understood, there are shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the invention into practical efiect, without limiting the improvements in their useful application to the particular combination, which, for purposes of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration. v

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a tank spout safety cap constructed in accordance with the invention and showing its application to a tank having a lid type cover; and

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional View showing the application-of the invention to. a tank spout equipped witha screw or bayonet type cap.

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the invention modified to be used on a tank equipped with a very short spout.

Referring to Figure 1, the invention is shown comprising a conventional tank filler spout P and cap A.

The safety valve or cap proper is shown as the beveled disc H which fits into beveled seat I; the valve when in closed position being made leakproof by gasket J which is fastened to valve'disc H in a'satisfactory manner.

Valve disc H is pivoted at hinge K and is of a diameter sufiiciently small to allow its being raised vertically about the pivot point without its binding against the inside of spout P.

[When the valve disc H has been closed it. is securely locked in place by rod C whose rounded head snaps securely under suitable lock spring N, A finger grip is shown attached to or made integral with rod C. Rod G is pivoted at point L. It will be seen that projection .M on the under side of tank cap A acts as an additional lock for rod C. when disc H has been seatedand this red snapped into place. It will also be seen thatprojection M will not allow the closing of cap A unless rod C has been securely: looked under spring N.

To pour liquid into the tank, cap A is opened by pivoting about its hinge F. Rod C is then disengaged from under snap spring N by its being pulled by the attached finger grip. Rod C and disc H are then raised into a vertical position and rod C is finally snapped into spring clip E as is shown in the dotted portion of the drawings. This insures the device being kept in an open position while liquid is being poured into the tank. A reverse procedure is followed to close and secure the tank spout.

Figure 2 shows the invention as applied to a tank spout equipped with either a screw or bayonet type cap. In this figure, cylindrical projection M, as can be observed, serves as an additional lock for lever C and also serves to prevent the placing on of the tank cap Q unless rod C has been looked under spring N. Otherwise, the functioning of the device is identical to that described in the preceding paragraphs.

Referring to Figure 3; (modification for a tank equipped with a short spout) disc H closes into seat I as previously described. The device is locked closed by sliding latch pin T under steel ball lock V which is held in position by retainer X secured to filler neck. U is a retaining guide for latch pin T. Projection M will not allow cap S to be replaced unless latch pin T has been slid through guide U and completely locked under ball V. Otherwise, cylindrical projection M will be interfered with by the projecting finger grip made integral with latch pin T.

It will be understood that the invention and its component parts may be constructed of metal or other suitable material.

Other modifications and changes in proportion and arrangement of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the nature and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manu- 1. A safety closure for a gas tank or the like comprising a filling neck; a cover for said neck; a valve arranged within said neck in spaced relation to said cover; a rod pivotally connected with said'valve and accessible from the exterior of said neck when said cover is open for opening and closing said valve independently of said cover, said rod projecting out of said neck and into the path of movement of said cover when said cover and valve are both open to prevent the closing of said cover while said valve is open; a projection on the under side of said cover for engagement with said rod for preventing movement of said rod and valve when said cover is closed and latch means for preventing accidental movement of said rod and the opening of said valve when said cover is open.

2. A safety closure for a gas tank or the like comprising a filling neck; a cover for said neck; a valve arranged within said neck in spaced relation to said cover; a rod pivotally connected with said valve and accessible from the exterior of said neck when said cover is open for opening and closing said valve independently of said cover, said rod projecting out of said neck and into the path of movement of said cover when said cover and valve are both open to prevent the closing of said cover while said valve is open; a projection on the under side of said cover for engagement with said rod for preventing movement of said rod and valve when said cover is closed; latch means for preventing accidental movement of said rod and the opening of said valve when said cover is open; and latch means engageable with said rod for maintaining said cover and valve in an open position during a filling operation.

3. A safety closure for a gas tank or the like comprising a filling neck; a cover for said neck; a valve arranged Within said neck in spaced relation to said cover; a rod pivotally connected with said valve and accessible from the exterior of said neck when said cover is open for opening and closing said valve independently of said cover, said rod projecting out of said neck and into the path of movement of said cover when said cover and valve are both open to prevent the closing of said cover while said valve is open; a projection on the under side of said cover; yieldable means on said projection for engagement with said rod for preventing movement of said rod and valve when said cover is closed and latch means for preventing accidental movement of said rod and the opening of said valve when said cover is open.

4. A safety closure for a gas tank or the like comprising a filling neck; a cover for said neck; a valve arranged within said neck in spaced relation to said cover; a manually operable bolt slidably mounted on said valve for preventing accidental opening of said valve; and a projection on the under side of said cover for engagement back of said bolt for preventing movement of said bolt when said cover is closed.

ANDERSON OFFUTT. 

